Bears didn’t run because they couldn’t

Sunday’s 13 yards on 12 attempts wasn’t the lowest rushing output in franchise history, but it was the worst since at least 1960.

The all-time low is 1 yard in 1952.

There was a simple reason the Bears didn’t give their ground game more opportunities to shift out of neutral.

“We didn’t run the ball because we weren’t able to,” said running back Matt Forte, who should know after picking up 2 yards on 9 carries. “We just played bad out there. Obviously when they shut the run down, you’re going to try to throw the ball a little more.”

In back-to-back losses, offensive coordinator Mike Martz has called for 20 runs and 95 passes. The Bears have actually had 24 running plays, but 4 of them were pass plays that resulted in scrambles by quarterback Jay Cutler.

“If you don’t get your running game going, you have to look at what the other side of the ball did,” said coach Lovie Smith, who was dissatisfied with the run-pass balance in Week 2. “(The Packers) played good, sound defense. You have to give them a lot of the credit. Their front seven is solid and it showed today.”

Forte entered Week 3 second in the NFL with 324 yards from scrimmage (117 rushing, 207 receiving), and he was able to pick up 80 yards on a team-best 7 catches.

“We have a running back who’s top five in this league, who can run it and catch it,” wide receiver Roy Williams said. “So we have to give him as many touches as we can.”

Lots of laundry:The Bears had 10 penalties for 70 yards, but that doesn#146;t tell the whole story.Trailing 27-17 but with a chance to close the gap with 9:27 left in the game, the offense repeatedly shot itself in the foot.Frank Omiyale drew his second false start penalty to start the #147;drive,#148; and then on the next snap was called for holding #8212; which offset a roughing the passer call on Erik Walden that would have moved the Bears into Packers territory.On the next play, right guard Chris Spencer was flagged for holding, and two plays later Devin Hester was flagged for punching Sam Shields in the helmet after a spirited two-way exchange.On third-and-33, the Bears picked up 7 yards and punted.#147;If you#146;re not fighting, you#146;re not playing physical,#148; Hester said. #147;I got caught with the last hit. I know that was a stupid mistake on my part, but I can only take so much. The guy pushed me three, four times and (if) I just walk away, he#146;s going to continue to do it the whole game. I#146;m not going to let someone sit here and push me around.#148;Hester had 3 receptions for 62 yards and has at least 1 catch in 48 straight games, the fourth-longest streak in franchise history.By the numbers:Brian Urlacher#146;s second interception of the season was the 20th of his career. He is just the third player in NFL history with 20 interceptions and 40 sacks (41 frac12;). ... For the second straight week, undrafted rookie wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher scored the Bears#146; first touchdown, this one on a 4-yard dart over the middle from Jay Cutler which got the Bears to within 14-7 with 8:12 left in the first half. ... Henry Melton established a career high with his third sack of the season.Juggling the lineup:Because of injuries, the Bears started their third different offensive line group and their third different safety tandem against the Packers.Frank Omiyale started at offensive right tackle in place of Gabe Carimi. Chris Spencer started for the second straight week in place of Lance Louis. Brandon Meriweather started in place of Major Wright for the second straight week at free safety, and Craig Steltz got his first start since 2009 in place of Chris Harris at strong safety.Sitting it out:Sunday#146;s inactives were: running back Marion Barber (calf), safeties Major Wright (head/neck) and Chris Harris (hamstring), offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (knee), wide receiver Earl Bennett (chest), defensive tackle Stephen Paea and defensive end Corey Wootton.sales25501895The Bears’ Matt Forte gets dropped for a loss by A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews during the first half of the Packers’ 27-17 win Sunday at Soldier FieldDaniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.comsales